About The Richmond Hotel: Situated in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire in the Highlands of Scotland, The Richmond is a small, comfortable hotel offering single, double, twin and family rooms. All have en-suite facilities, charming and comfortable furniture (including a four poster bed), televisions and tea and coffee making facilities. The house has mostly retained its original features such as wood panelling, sash windows and combed ceilings. All bedrooms are non-smoking and have lovely views - either across the village to the historic Pavilion and the farmland, woods and hills beyond, or over the pretty gardens to the nearby church and neighbouring Victorian buildings. Sumptuous dinners and hearty breakfasts are served in the charming dining room, which features a marble fire place and original plaster finishing. An accomplished chef, Heinz has been awarded a number of accolades in his previous roles in a range of hotels (Hotel intercontinental Hyde Park Corner, Michael's Nook in Grasmere, Haven Hotel in Poole). He enjoys using his experience and creativity to produce delightful dinner menus that change weekly. A selection of simpler meals is available in our bar area. The cosy bar with its open fireplace is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
Surrounding area: Strathpeffer is a spa village in a countryside setting 5 miles from Dingwall, 17 miles from Inverness. It was made popular during the Victorian era as a health resort through the promotion of drinking the sulphurous and chalybeate waters flowing from natural springs. Dr Thomas Morrison claimed in 1819 that the local spa waters were the 'most efficacious in Britain' and the first pump room was opened in 1820. Soon the trains were delivering hoards of health seekers to the area and the village boomed as large villa-style houses, hospitals and improved transport links were built. Today the picturesque village is still a popular tourist destination, and forms an ideal base from which to explore the north-west highlands. A short walk up to the Strathpeffer Spa Golf Course reveals wonderful views along the valley towards the Black Isle. There are woodland and hillside footpaths and cycle tracks in the immediate vicinity - most clearly way marked. In the village one can find the recently restored Strathpeffer Pavilion - a music, dance and entertainment hall built in 1881, the Spa Pump Room and Gardens, the Water Sampling Pavilion and the old railway station which has been converted to house a number of small businesses. These include craft, gift and clothing shops, a woodcarver's studio and tea-room as well as the Highland Museum of Childhood. There are also delightful shops in and around the village square selling gifts and antiques, and a new luxury chocolate shop. During the summer months the Strathpeffer Pipe Band plays in the square and Highland dancers perform for all to see. It is an impressive and stirring sight, and the music is fantastic.
